Senior Art Showcase Salutes Mississippi College Students
“Life in Color” is the name of the Senior Art Showcase to celebrate the achievements of Mississippi College students.
Normally, the MC Spring art exhibit is a wonderful display on the Clinton campus. But in the midst of a global COVID-19 crisis, the annual show abruptly shifted to the university’s Art Department website.
The exhibit trumpets the creative works of Mississippi College art majors nearing graduation in 2020.
Despite challenges, MC’s nearly 5,000 students adjusted to online classes the past two months. During the health emergency, art students put in plenty of hard work, and their senior show quickly materialized. Students teamed to digitize their works into an online format. “Life in Color’’ will stay on the website for one year.
Cameron Forehand, 22, a graphic design major, was thrilled to play a major role to make the art exhibit happen online. He designed the show’s website.
For the Class of 2020, the senior art show is one of the biggest moments of their lives as college students, Forehand says.
“As artists, it can be difficult to put yourself and your art out there to show people,” says the Tyler, Texas native. “So to be able to do it alongside all of your classmates is an incredible experience.”
Seniors worked closely with Gore Galleries director Randy Jolly and art professor Ben Ivey to make the art exhibit a reality.
Less than a month before the show was set to happen on campus, things rapidly changed due to the worldwide coronavirus outbreak.
With students suddenly returning to their homes to complete the Spring semester, MC senior graphic designers learned they needed to build a website to host the art exhibit.
“I spent a very long time building a website that I was really proud of,” Forehand said. “And it ended up being voted on by the senior art students as the website the Art Department would use.”
His design was chosen among thirteen creative works submitted by Mississippi College’s Art 416 class.
A May graduate, Forehand credits the Lord for His guidance every step of the way. “God has given me the gift of creativity. And I consider it a blessing to be able to use that gift in a way that brings joy to others.”
Isabella Capalbo, 22, an interior design major, was elated to be part of the innovative art exhibit.
“Even though the show did not turn out how we had planned, I am so thankful that we were able to come up with a way to showcase our work for others to,” Capalbo says. The Ocean Springs resident is on track to graduate from Mississippi College on August 1.
One of Isabella’s art pieces depicts an airport kiosk restaurant she crafted in an interior design class.
Gore Galleries director Randy Jolly commends the students for their team effort during this COVID-19 crisis. “The senior class was really great and adaptable throughout the process.”
Professor Ivey and his class were “instrumental in putting the show together. I was really impressed with how the seniors and Mr. Ivey’s class took the idea and ran with it,” Jolly said. “Thanks to them we have an exciting show and new format in which to spotlight our talented seniors.”
What’s next for Cameron Forehand? With his graphic design degree, Cameron anticipates a bright future ahead. In September, Cameron plans to marry MC graphic design classmate Haylee Riley. They are presently engaged.
Once they marry, the Mississippi College couple will move to Chicago to begin their life together. Cameron hopes to work in the Windy City and land his dream job at an Illinois art museum.
The 2020 Senior Art Showcase titled “Life in Color” can be viewed at www.MCArtSrShow.com
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